Cake pops are small, round balls of cake coated in chocolate or candy and served on a stick—just like a lollipop.
They’re fun, sweet, and perfect for birthdays, parties, or just as a cute treat.
Even if you’ve never baked before, you can easily make cake pops at home with simple tools and ingredients.
How to Make Cake Pops?
Cake pops are made by baking a cake, crumbling it, mixing it with frosting, shaping it into balls, and dipping them in melted chocolate or candy coating.
You can use a homemade cake or a store-bought one. The best part is decorating them however you like—with sprinkles, drizzles, or even faces.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1 box of cake mix (any flavor: chocolate, vanilla, red velvet, etc.)
- Ingredients listed on the cake mix box (usually eggs, oil, and water)
You can also use a homemade cake recipe if you prefer.
For the Frosting
- ⅓ to ½ cup of frosting (store-bought or homemade)
For the Coating
- 1 to 2 cups of candy melts or chocolate chips (white, milk, or dark)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil (to thin the coating if needed)
Other
- Lollipop sticks or cake pop sticks
- Sprinkles (optional)
- Styrofoam block or tall cup (to hold the cake pops upright while drying)
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Bake the Cake
Start by baking the cake according to the instructions on the box or your recipe. Use a 9×13 inch pan so the cake bakes evenly.
Once it’s done, take it out of the oven and let it cool completely. This is very important because if the cake is warm, it will melt the frosting and make the mixture too soft to shape.
Step 2: Crumble the Cake
Once the cake is cool, break it into small pieces using your hands or a fork. You want to make fine crumbs without any large chunks.
Make sure the texture is even so that it mixes well with the frosting in the next step.
Step 3: Mix in the Frosting
Add about ⅓ cup of frosting to the cake crumbs. Use your hands or a spoon to mix it all together until the mixture becomes soft and holds together like dough.
If the mixture feels dry and crumbly, you can add a little more frosting, but don’t add too much. Too much frosting will make the cake pops heavy and hard to roll.
Step 4: Roll into Balls
Take about 1 tablespoon of the cake and frosting mixture and roll it into a ball using your hands. The balls should be smooth and not have any cracks.
Place the finished balls on a tray lined with parchment paper.
Once all the balls are ready, place the tray in the freezer for 15–20 minutes (or in the fridge for about 1 hour) so the balls become firm. This step makes them easier to dip later.
Step 5: Melt the Coating
While the cake balls are chilling, melt your candy melts or chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl.
Heat in short bursts of 20–30 seconds, stirring each time, until smooth. If the coating is too thick, stir in a small amount of vegetable oil to make it easier to dip.
Step 6: Insert the Sticks
Take the chilled cake balls out of the fridge or freezer. Dip the tip of each cake pop stick into the melted coating, then push the stick halfway into the center of a cake ball.
This helps keep the stick in place and stops the ball from sliding off.
After all sticks are inserted, place the pops back in the fridge for about 10 minutes so the coating hardens and locks the stick in place.
Step 7: Dip the Cake Pops
Now it’s time to dip. Hold the stick and gently dip each cake pop straight down into the melted coating. Don’t stir or twist the ball in the coating, or it might fall off the stick.
After dipping, gently tap the stick on the side of the bowl to remove any extra coating. If you want to add sprinkles, do it quickly before the coating dries.
Step 8: Let Them Dry
Place each dipped cake pop upright in a Styrofoam block, tall glass, or cup.
Let them sit at room temperature until the coating hardens. Once dry, the cake pops are ready to eat or pack for later.
Extra Tips and Tricks
| Tip | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Use chilled cake balls | Cold balls are easier to dip and less likely to fall off the stick. |
| Don’t add too much frosting | Too much makes the cake pops mushy and hard to roll. |
| Thin your coating | Add a bit of oil if the candy melts or chocolate is too thick. |
| Use short dipping motions | Don’t swirl the cake pop or it may fall off the stick. |
| Work in small batches | Keep most cake balls in the fridge while you dip a few at a time. |
| Decorate quickly | Sprinkles stick best before the coating hardens. |
| Store properly | Keep finished cake pops in the fridge for up to 5 days. |
Conclusion
Cake pops are fun to make and even more fun to eat. With just a few simple steps—bake, crumble, mix, roll, and dip—you can create a sweet, bite-sized dessert that’s great for any event.
Once you get the hang of the basic method, you can try different flavors, colors, and decorations.
They’re perfect for birthdays, holidays, or just as a treat to enjoy with family and friends.